Italian Hound (wire-haired)

The wire-haired Segugio Italiano is an old Italian scenthound, tracing back to hunting dogs of antiquity, used to trail wild boar and larger game with a loud, steady voice. The rough coat protected the dog pushing through dense mountain forest and rocky ground in Italy, terrain where its smooth-coated relative was more prone to injury. A male weighs around 28 kilograms, with a long, muscular build suited to trailing scent for hours at a steady pace. The breed is traditionally hunted in packs rather than alone, so it gets along well with other dogs, though its prey drive toward small animals runs strong. In Italy it remains far more a working dog than a show dog. Life expectancy runs 11 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Italian Hound (wire-haired): how old in human years?

48–58 cmHeight
18–28 kgWeight
11–14 yrsLife expectancy

Porcelaine

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 198
Country of origin: Italy

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

2/5

At a glance

Height

Males 52–58 cm

Females 48–56 cm

Weight

Males 18–28 kg

Females 18–26 kg

Life expectancy

11–14 yrs

Coat

wiry, rough (wire-haired)

Temperament & Family Life

Italian Hound (wire-haired)'s average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Italian Hound (wire-haired)'s energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Italian Hound (wire-haired)'s guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Italian Hound (wire-haired)'s grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 2/5
Grooming need 2/5

Living with the Italian Hound (wire-haired)

An October morning in the Apennine foothills: something rustles in the mist, and straight away a ringing, rhythmic voice starts up and doesn't stop until the trail runs out. The Italian Hound (wire-haired) has spent centuries running hare and boar, telling the hunter by voice exactly where the action is. That job still lives in it: the nose always goes first, the energy is plentiful and the stamina lasts all day.

It needs long walks every day, running somewhere safe, and work for its nose, such as tracking or hunting for hidden treats. It learns reasonably well, but on its own terms; once it finds an interesting scent it turns deaf to every command, so off-lead time belongs in fenced areas. The prey drive is very strong: the neighbour's cat or chickens are a hunt, not a friendship. There will be barking, or more precisely that hound's bay.

At home it is gentle and affectionate, friendly with the family and with children, and gets on well with other dogs. It is polite with strangers but won't make a guard. A flat doesn't suit it: it is happiest in a house with a garden, with an active family or a hunter, where after a good long hike it is glad to stretch out by the stove.

Grooming and coat

That hard, rough coat is a work jacket: it goes through bramble without much damage, and mud and dry leaves mostly drop out of it once they dry. The Italian Hound (wire-haired) sheds little, so you won't be chasing tumbleweeds of hair around the house. A weekly once-over with a stiff brush or comb is enough, plus hand-plucking the dead hair a few times a year. Bathe only when you really can't avoid it; frequent shampooing softens the coat and takes away its harsh texture.

After every outing in the fields, check the paws, between the toes and the beard, where thorns and seeds like to lodge. Lift the long hanging ears every week and look inside; redness, discharge or a bad smell means it's time for the vet. Check the nails every few weeks, although a dog that runs this much wears a good part of them down on its own.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (28 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 305 g of dry food a day, from €16,70 a month For a neutered, normally active 22,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog